Friday May 11, 2012

On a whirlwind trip through Chattanooga, I had the good fortune
of dining at some of the best restaurants in the charming,
refurbished downtown. (Here's our complete list of Chattanooga
restaurants). First stop upon rolling into town: Champy's
Famous Fried Chicken, on the outskirts of downtown. This
no-frills, Mississippi-inspired roadhouse doesn't mess around,
advertising "blues, brews and bird." Fried chicken, hot tamales and
cold beers under a shaded patio proved to be the perfect remedy for
a hot Saturday afternoon. The bird itself is ultra-moist on the
inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and holds just enough
grease to remind you that it's fried chicken. And just in case you
can't finish a 40 oz beer before your hand starts warming it,
Champy's has got you covered with their signature koozies designed
for 40's.

After a light lunch of fried chicken, tamales, coleslaw, baked
beans, french fries and beer, it was only a matter of hours before
my appetite resurfaced. Stepping up to save me from perilous hunger
pangs was
The Public House. Located on Warehouse road, The
Public House strikes a rare (and fantastic) balance between casual
atmosphere and serious cuisine. The straightforward menu of
Southern favorites lacks flowery language or confusing foodie
buzzwords, but superior ingredients and knowledge of Southern
cookery shine through. Pork tenderloin with grits and a
bourbon-molasses sauce was excellent, as was a perfectly battered
fish sandwich (a huge cod filet soaked in hot sauce overnight), but
a brilliant, baked macaroni and cheese stole this show. Be warned:
The large side is sufficient for a table of 3 or 4. Bonus points
for the great patio and creative cocktails named after Pixies songs
(Monkey Gone to Heaven, Is She Weird?).

One last venue well-worth a mention and a visit (particularly
for craft beer enthusiasts) is
The Terminal. Next door to the historic Chattanooga Choo
Choo Terminal Station (hence the clever name), the Terminal
occupies the restored early 20th century building that was once an
easy access hotel for train passengers. The lovely rooftop garden
patio is an ideal spot to enjoy one of the great beers brewed in
house - the malty German-style Maibock, the bold, hoppy West Coast
IPA (Magnum P.A) and the Belgian White are all solid bets. There's
decent pub grub to be had as well -- take a chance on the
Philosopher's Burger, a heavily seasoned lamb burger topped with
candied red onions and a feta aioli. There's a lot going on there,
but it works.

Alas, my time was limited. And though I did get to see seven
states and an equally kitschy and creepy UV-lit fairy tale gnome
village at Rock City, I didn't get around to eating and seeing
everything on my itinerary. Next time, I'll hit up the legendary
pancakes at
Aretha Frankenstein's and revisit the aquarium so that I
can pet the catfish. Yes, you can pet the fish. No, you cannot take
the fish home and fry it.

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Since 1995, "Where The Locals Eat" and LocalEats dining guides have featured locally owned restaurants across America. From the finest steakhouses and sushi bars, to classic burger joints and roadside barbecues, LocalEats recommends unique restaurants to suit every taste and price range. More